Will not start, can I bypass the security feature?

Tiny
MATTYICT1980
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 309,000 MILES
I have my mom's car (listed above) and she told me not to lock the doors. Well, I did it out of habit and I realized why. The key that starts the car does not unlock the door. So, I called a locksmith and he got me in the car, but it set off the factory installed alarm which honks and flashes and locks the doors for about a minute then stops until you try to start it again. The car won't start and obviously it has something to do with the security feature not disengaging only I've been sitting here for 10 hours' trying to get this thing to reset. She bought the car used and it runs fine, it's not mechanical. It was fine until I locked the doors, but she's never had fob and the key won't turn in the doors either. I keep reading about a relay switch that will reset the security, but I've spent 4 hours looking for it and cannot find it anywhere. My phone is draining. I'm stranded miles away in the freezing cold and I have $2.00 to my name so getting it towed is not an option or repair. Is there a way to fix this? I've also tried the key to the on position and left it 15 minutes several times and it still won't reset the system! Please help! The key does not have a chip either! It's just a key that was copied at Walmart, but it has always worked!
Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 AT 5:37 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,690 POSTS
Is the security light flashing when you try to start it? If so, I would try a hard reboot which is done by removing the negative side of the battery, with the cable loose from the negative side of the battery, hold it to the positive terminal for 1 minute this will discharge the memory capacitors in the BCM and PCM allowing the system to reboot.

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please go over this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 AT 11:40 AM

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